Before you take action, make sure it's safe to do so. Be extremely careful. Some wastes can be hazardous. Do not open bags or drums. Piles of soil may be contaminated or they may be hiding dangerous material. Remember that fly-tippers are doing something illegal - they are unlikely to welcome people observing them or taking notes or photographs.
Recording details
Record as many details about the incident and the waste as you can. This will help the authorities take action against fly-tippers and stop them fly-tipping in the future.
Use our form to help you. This sets out the information the authorities will find useful when you contact them.
If possible take photographs of the waste.
Who to contact - England and Wales
There isn't a single point of contact to report fly-tipping. You need to contact either your local authority or the Environment Agency to see if they will investigate or deal with an incident.
Local authorities and the Environment Agency have an agreement, known as the Fly-tipping Protocol, that sets out which incidents each will respond to.
Local authorities are responsible for dealing with most types of small-scale fly-tipping.
The Environment Agency deals with bigger incidents (generally those involving more than a tipper load of waste), incidents involving organised crime and certain hazardous wastes which have a greater potential to damage the environment.
You can also report incidents to your local police. Fly-tipping is a crime.
Please note that the NFTPG can't respond to incidents of fly-tipping.
Contact details
Who to contact - Scotland
Different arrangements are in place in Scotland. You can report incidents by phone or online.
Dumb Dumpers Stop Line: 0845 2 30 40 90
Dumb Dumpers website
Fly-tipping on your land
If you are a victim of fly-tipping, you should record as many details as possible and contact the relevant authority as explained above. Take photographs of the waste as you found it. Talk to your neighbours to see if they saw anyone or anything suspicious.
You will then need to decide how to deal with the waste that has been dumped on your land and, unfortunately, pay for the cost of disposal. It is unlikely that your local authority or the Environment Agency will clear the waste for you although they may provide other assistance or advice.
Secure the waste
Make sure the waste cannot escape or be interfered with. You may need to erect a temporary fence or bund. As well as protecting people and the environment until the waste can be removed, this will ensure that the evidence is left intact for any investigation.
Dispose of the waste
You are responsible for ensuring the waste is disposed of correctly. When you arrange for it to be removed, check that your contractor is operating legally. Call the Environment Agency on 0370 8506506 and ask for a waste carrier registration check. Alternatively, you can check online.
Make sure the authorities have all necessary evidence that they may need for an investigation before the waste is removed.
Prevent it happening again
Use our tips to stop fly-tippers returning.
